Tile sizing machine and method



Filed March 16. 1950 Oct. l2, 1954 E. s. RoBBlNs 2,691,254

TILE SIZING MACHINE AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 1

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'nu "6.a '69 INVENTOR. A

Oct. l2, 1954 E. s. RoBBlNs 2,691,254

` TILE sIzING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 16, 1950 v4 Sheets-Sheet 2so as 27 2e 30 23 23 34 20 11 2 FIG. 3 29 31 l 2s 29 72 HH l 2 l 2 l I",l 31 35 26 32 21 4o?7 34 1 4 73 E a 71 \`2 4440 I.; 7 5 5 6.768 M67 I381ml `33l 32 o IM E9 ssj HIL I v 69% u. 9 ill. 5 69 i 66 53 69 66 l 37I A mmvron. E. s. RoaaqNs ATTORNEY Oct. l2, 1954 E. S. ROBBINS TLESIZING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 16, 1950 FIG. 4

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 as gn Lui igghgglgglg! INVENToR E. s. ROBBINS Oct. l2,1954 E. s. RoBBlNs 2,691,254

TILE SIZING MACHINE METHOD' Filed March 16, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTORQ E. s RoBBlNs ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE TILE sIzING MACHINE AND METHOD Edward Stanley Robbins,Tuscumbia, Ala. Application March 16, 1950, Serial No. 150,067 v 15Claims.

This invention relates to manufacturing and more particularly to amachine or apparatus and process for accurately'squaring and sizingtiles such as those formed of rubber, asphalt, wood, or othercomposition.

Tiles of the above nature are customarily laid on a fioor or othersurface and secured thereto by means of an adhesive applied to thesurface, the adjacent edges of the tiles abutting each other Without thepresence of adhesive or other filler therebetween. Consequently, it isextremely important that the tiles be accurately sized and lalso thatthe sides be exactly at right angles to each other in the case of squaretiles or that the angles between the sides be all equal in the case oftiles of other configuration.

Such tiles are normally manufactured by cutting the same from a largesheet or web of material, the cutting operation being accomplished by agang die or by a knife, this cutting of the tiles representing the nalfinishing operation and consequently the accuracy of the operationdetermines the accuracy of the tiles. Tiles produced in this way, evenwhen extreme caution is used, exhibited a very great variation indimensions of from .01 to .02 of an inch. Such a variation wassufficient to cause unsightly cracks or spaces in the tile coveredsurface which are, of course, extremely undesirable in view of the factthat these spaces became filled With dirt or other foreign matter andalso this resulted in an undesirable covering from the standpoint ofappearance.

A variation in dimensions of the magnitude referred to above alsoresulted in tiles which were not necessarily square or which possessedVariations in the angles between the sides and consequently the laborand care involved in laying the tiles on a surface was materiallyincreased since it was often necessary to try numerous tiles in a given'place before one which adequately fitted could be found. Such a cut andtry or selection method was obviously very time consuming and materiallycontributed to the cost of installation and consequently any apparatusor process which would result in the economical production of tilesmaintaining a size tolerance of as little as plus or minus .001 of aninch and at the same time provide perfectly square tiles or tiles inwhich the angles between the sides were equal would be an extremelyvaluable contribution to the art resulting in a material reduction inthe cost of installation and providing a more pleasing and effectivecovering.

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention 2 to provide a tilesizing machine in which a large number of tiles in the form of a stackmay be placed in the machine and accurately sized and squared, theoperation with the exception of inserting and removing the stack beingentirely automatic.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tile sizingmachine in which a stack of tiles may be accurately sized whereby thevariation in dimensions will not exceed a tolerance of plus or minus.001 of an inch.

Y It is a further object of the invention to provide a tile sizingmachine in which a stack of tiles may be accurately sized whereby thevariation in dia mensions Will not exceed a tolerance of plus or minus.001 of an inch and whereby the angles between the sides of theresulting tiles are equal.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tile sizingmachinewhich is sufficiently efficient to economically produce accurately sizedand squared tiles and in which the entire operation may be conducted andcontrolled by a single operator.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a process foraccurately sizing and squaring surface covering tiles.

Further objects and advantages `of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the tile sizing machine of thisinvention showing the operators side of the machine;

Fig.. 2, a rear elevational view of the machine; v Fig. 3, a sideelevational 'view showing the turret utilized for carrying the stacks oftiles and the clamping mechanism for retaining the tiles therein;

Fig. 4, a top plan view of the machine;

Fig. 5, a fragmentary perspective View showing the apparatus for.accurately positioning the stacks of tiles on the turret;

Fig. 6, a fragmentary elevational view showing the mechanism forpositioning the stack of tiles on the turret and the control meanstherefor; and,

Fig. 7, a fragmentary View of parts of the machine and showing in detailthe control circuits for controlling the operation of the tile stackclamping means and the control means for rotating the turret and forsition when it is at rest.

With continued reference to the drawings, the tile sizing machine ofthis invention comprises a base or frame l0 which is cut away along thelocking the same in polongitudinal center line to accommodate a turretII which is in the nature of a relatively large wheel, the turret beingmounted upon a shaft l2 which is journalled in bearings I3 mounted onthe frame I0. The shaft I2 is connected to a speed reducing gear box I4through a coupling l5, power being supplied to the gear box I4 through ashaft I6 carrying pulleys I1 which are engaged by belts i3 driven from amotor I9 mounted on the base I0.

The turret II, as shown in the drawings, comprises two parallel spacedgenerally circular plates 20 each of which may be provided with radialwebs 2I terminating in hubs 22 which serve to securely mount the platesupon the shaft I2. Positioned at equal angular distances around theperiphery of the turret II are a plurality of work clamping means 23each of these clamping means comprising a platen 24 secured to theturret and providing a base for receiving and supporting a stack oftiles to be sized.

Secured to the turret I I by an angle bracket or the like 25 is anupstanding plate 26 which serves to locate and support one edge of thestack of tiles and the stack is securely clamped in position on theplaten 24 by a movable pressure plate 21. Pressure plate 21 is pivotallysecured by a pin or the like 28 to a rocker arm 29 which is pivotallymounted at 39 on a stand 3| secured to the turret I I.

The rocker arm 29 is operated by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 32pivotally secured at 33 to the turret Il, the cylinder 32 slidablyreceiving a piston attached to a connecting rod 34 which in turn ispivotally secured at 35 to the end of rocker arm 29.

Fluid pressure for actuating the connecting rod 34 and clamp 23 isprovided through a conduit 36 connected through a rotary joint 31 withthe end of shaft I2, which is hollow for at least a portion of itslength. Connected to the shaft I2 and communicating with the interiorthereof are a plurality of branch conduits 38 leading to solenoidoperated valves 39 which control the operation of cylinder 32 andconnecting rod 34. The valves 39 are connected to the cylinder 32through conduits 40 and 4I.

In order to accurately position stacks of tiles in the clampingmechanism 23 there is provided an apparatus best shown in Figs. 5 and 6which includes a pair of aligning or positioning plates 42 located ateach side of the turret Il. Plates 42 are mounted on slides 43 which areslidably secured by guides 44 to a bracket 45 mounted on the base I0.Plates 42 are reciprocated toward and away from each other by connectingrods 46 which are attached to pistons disposed in iiuid pressurecylinders 4T secured at 48 to the base I of the machine. Cylinders 41are supplied with fluid pressure through conduits 49 and 50 which areconnected to solenoid operated valves I from which supply conduits 52lead to a source of fluid pressure.

The mechanism for accurately sizing and squaring the stack of tilescarried by the clamping mechanism 23 on the turret Il comprises a pairof grinding drums 53 mounted on shafts 54 which extend radially of theturret II and are journalled in bearings 5-5 mounted on spaced parallelrods 56. Shafts 54 carry pulleys 51 which are engaged by belts 58 drivenby pulleys 59 mounted on shafts 65 of drive motors 6I.

In order to provide for varying the distance between grinding drums 53the rods 5G are slidably mounted in brackets 62 secured to the base I0.These brackets are split and are provided 4 with clamping screws 63which may be conveniently manipulated to securely clamp the rods 56 inadjusted position. In order to provide for sliding movement of the rods56 they are internally threaded to receive threaded shafts 64 which arerotatably mounted in bearings 65 secured to the base i0. The shafts 64are provided adjacent the outer ends thereof with worm wheels 66 whichare engaged by worms 51 mounted on adjusting shafts 68. 'Shafts 68 arejournalled in brackets 69 secured to the base I0 and are provided withhand Wheels 10 which may be conveniently operated to rotate the threadedshafts 64 and thus move the rods 56 and attached grinding drums 53toward or from each other.

The threaded shafts 64 may be of suiciently small pitch to provide forextremely accurate adjustment of the grinding drums 53, adjustments ofless than .001 of an inch being entirely practical. v

If desired, in order to dispose of dust,y grit, and other foreign matterresulting from the grinding operation, there may be provided hoods 'Hpositioned adjacent each grinding drum 53, which hoods are connectedwith conduits 'i2 which conduits in turn may be connected to a vacuumair filter system.

The grinding drums 53 may operate continuously during the operation ofthe machine but the turret is intermittently rotated and the positioningplates 42 are periodically reciprocated and the control mechanism forcontrolling these operations will now be described.

With particular reference to Fig. 6, the solenoid valves 5I whichcontrol operation of the connecte ing rods 46 and aligning plates 42 arecontrolled by a switch I3 which is normally open land with the switch inthis condition and the solenoid valves 5I deenergized fluid pressurewill be supplied to cylinders 41 through conduits 56 thereby retractingthe aligning plates 42 away from Stack engaging position. Closing ofswitch 13 energizes valves 5I from a power source 14 and introducesfluid pressure to the cylinder 41 through conduits 49. This operationmoves the aligning plates 42 toward each other and theextent of thismovement is controlled by limit stops or blocks 'I5 secured to slides 43in such a position as to abut the guides 44 thus preventing furtherinward movement of the plates 42. Blocks 'I5 are secured in place onslides 43 by screw threaded fastening means or the like 16 and varioussizes of blocks 15 may be provided in orderto accommodate tiles ofdifferent dimensions.

The means for controlling the operation of clamps 23 and the rotation ofturret I l comprises a normally closed switch 11 `and a normally openswitch 18 and the associated circuits. Secured to one side of one of theplates 20 forming the turret il and disposed concentrically with theaxis thereof are a plurality of contact elements 19 one of theseelements being provided for each of the clamp operating cylinders 32.Each of the elements 19 is provided with two electrically isolatedconductor bars which are connected by conductors SI with the adjacentsolenoid valve 39. Contact brushes 82 are connected by suitableconductors 83 with switch 'I1 and a source of current 84.

The turret driving motor I9 receives its power from a source ofelectrical energy 85 which is controlled by switch 'I8 and anautomatically operated switch 86 pivotally mounted in the path ofmovement of an arm 81 secured to the turret I I adjacent each contactelement 19. The control circuit for the turret drive motor I9 alsoincludes a solenoid 88 which through an actuating linkage 89 serves toapply or release a brake band 98 disposed about a brake drum 9| xed tothe turret mounting shaft |2. Brake band 98 serves to lock the turret inposition while stacks of tiles are being placed thereon or being removedtherefrom and is releasedduring rotation of the turret Il.

. The operation of theturret drive control .circuit is a sfollows:assuming the turret I I to be at rest the operator closes switch 18which applies energy through conductor 92 toconductor 93 which isconnected to the motor I9. Conductor 93 is also connected to solenoid 98and closing of the switch 18 will therefore energize this solenoid to-release the brakel band 90 thus permitting rotation of the turret I Iin response to operation of the motor I9. The return circuit fromsolenoid 88 and motor I9 is through conductor 94 to the power source85'. Automatic switch B6 is provided with a pivoted contact arm 95connected to conductor 93 and a stationary contact 96 is connectedthrough conductor 91 to power source 85 and one contact of switch 18.With the turret at rest and in the position shown in Fig. '7 theautomatic switch 86 is open and the path of flow of electrical energy tothe motor I9 and solenoid 88 will be as described above. Howeverimmediately after rotation of the turret lI I commences the arm 81 willmove out of engagement with the pivoted contact arm 95 allowing switch86 to close thus completing the circuit between conductor 93 andconductor 91.y Switch 18 may now be opened and the drive motor I9 willcontinue to operate and the solenoid 88 will continue to be energizedholding brake band 98 out of engagement with brake drum 9|, the turretcontinuing to rotate until the next arm 81 contacts the pivoted contactarm 95 to move the same out of engagement with stationary Contact 96thus opening the circuit and deenergizing drive motor I9 and solenoid88. Deenergization of this solenoid applies the brake band 99 to thebrake drum 9| and locks the turret I| against further rotation. Thecycle may then be repeated by depressing or closing the switch 18.

The operation of the control circuit for the clamp mechanism 23 is asfollows: solenoid valve 39 when deenergized operates to introduce fluidpressure to cylinder 32 through conduit 4| which moves the connectingrod 34 outwardly and the pressure plate 21 into engagement with a stackof tiles supported on the platen 24. Thus the I pressure plate 21 willbe in clamping position at all positions of the turret except when. theclamp is located at the loading station shown at the left in Fig. '7.The contact bars 8i) oi contact element 19 will engage with brushes 82and therefore the solenoid valve 39 is energized by the flow ofelectrical energy from a source of current 84 through normally closedswitch 11 and conductors 83 and 8|. This results in the introduction ofiluid pressure to cylinder 32 through conduit 49 to move the pressureplate 21 outwardly thus releasing the stack of tiles clamped thereby.The pressure plate 21 is moved inwardly to clamp a new stack of tiles bydepressing switch 11 to open the circuit thus deenergizing the solenoid99 resulting in outward movement of connecting rod 24 to move thepressure plate 21 inwardly toward platen 24. Switch I1 is retained inopen position until turret has rotated sufficiently to move contact bars89 out of contact with brushes 82 at which time switch 11 `may beallowed to close thus conditioning the circuity for automaticallyopening the next succeeding clamp upon engagement of the associatedcontact bars with the brushes 82.

The operation of the tile sizing machineis be lieved to bev obvious fromthe above description but briefly the complete operation thereof is asfollows: with the turret II at rest and in the position shown in Figs. 5and 7 a stack of tiles which may number 36 or any other desirednumber isplaced on the upstanding plate 28 and the switch 13 is closed toenergize solenoid valves 5| this resulting in movement of the aligningplates 42 vtoward each other to engage and align the edges of the stackof tiles. The blocks 15 are' so proportioned that either of the plates42 will move sumciently to locate the adjacent edges of the stack oftiles inwardly toward the center line between the grinding drums suchthat these edges will engage the 'appropriate grinding drums when movedthereby. Since the cylinders 41 are provided with fluid pressure fromthe same source the pressure exerted by each cylinder will be the sameand consequently if one clamping plate 42 for some reason moves fasterthan the other movement of this plate will be stopped by engagement ofthe block 15 with the guide 44 and thereafter the opposing plate 42 willcontinue to move until the pressure exerted by the two plates isequalized. p

Upon completion of the movement of aligning plates 42 toward each otherthe switch 11 is actuated to open the circuit to solenoid valve 39 thusdeenergizing the same and causing the clamp mechanism 23 to operatethereby securely clamping the stack of tiles in position. Uponcompletion o-f the clamping operation the switch 13 may be opened todeenergize solenoid valves 5| thus returning aligning plates 42 to theiroriginal position.

The switch 18 is now closed. to energize the turret drive motor I9 anddeenergizes solenoid 88 thereby releasing brake band 99, the motor I9causing turret I i to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig.'7. Rotation of the turret causes the closing of automatic switch 86 andthereafter switch '18 may be released or opened, rotation of the turretI I continuing until the next clamp 23 moves into loading positionwhereupon automatic switch 83 will be opened deenergizing the motor I9and solenoid 8B and applying the brake band 99 to lock the turret inposition. At the same time brushes 82 will engage contact bars 89 toenergize solenoid valve 39 and release clamp 23 whereupon a stack ofiinished files thereon may be removed.

During rotation of the turret I a stack of tiles previously placed inone of the clamps will be carried between the grinding drums 53 whichwill engage the opposite side edges thereof and remove a sunicientamount of material to accurately align these edges. Since the spacebetween the grind# ing drums 53 may be very accurately adjusted theresulting dimensions of the stack of tiles will be within a tolerance ofplus or minus .001".

Upon completion of the sizing of one side of the stack of the tiles,when this stack arrives at the loading station L and the clamp isreleased the stack is removed and turned 90 to position the unfinishededges laterally of the machine whereupon the operation above describedis re-` peated and the nal finishing operation on the stack of tiles iscarried out.

It will be seen from the above that there has beenV provided by thisinvention a tile sizing machine which with the exception of placing astack of tiles thereon and removing the same therefrom is automatical inoperation and which results in producing nished tiles at a very rapidrate, which tiles are very accurately dimensioned both as to size andthe angular relationship between the sides. There has likewise beenprovided control circuits which are completely fool-proof and whichautomatically perform their functions once the cycle of operation hasbeen initiated. Suiicient adjustments have also been provided in themachine to actuate various sizes of tiles and the change from one sizeto another may be accomplished by merely substituting appropriate sizeblocks 16 and adjusting kthe distance between the grinding drums 53 byoperation of the hand wheels 10.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof and therefore this invention is not limited by that which isshown in the drawings or by that which has been described in thespecication but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l. A tile sizing machine comprising in combination abase, a turret rotatably mounted on said base, a drive motor supportedon said base anddrivingly connected to said turret for rotating saidturret, a motor control circuit connected to said drive motor, aplurality of work clamps carried by said turret for clamping stacks oftiles thereon and movable past a loading station where tile may beinserted and removed from said work clamps, brake means supported bysaid base for locking said turret against rotation with one of said workclamps positioned at said loading station, 'stack aligning meansadjacent said loading station comprising aligning plates positioned onopposite sides of the path of movement of said clamps and movable towardand away from each other, iluid pressure means supported on said baseand connected to said aligning plates for moving said aligning platestoward each other whereby the opposite edges of a stack of tilesdisposed in the work clamp positioned at said loading station may bealigned, opposed grinding drums slidably mounted on said base one oneach side of said turret, means supported on said base for y adjustingthe distance between said grinding drums whereby upon rotation of saidturret stacks of tiles carried by said work clamp will pass between saidgrinding drums to size and square said tiles and means operativelyconnected to said turret, work clamps, and aligning plates forcontrolling the rotation of said turret, the operation of said workclamps, and the operation of said aligning plates.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said brake means is operatedby a solenoid connected in the turret drive motor control circuit. saidcircuit including a normally open manually operable switch the closingof which releases said brake and initiates rotation of said turret andan automatic switch connected across said manual switch and operable toshort circuit the same after rotation of said turret commences wherebysaid manual switch may be released and rotation of said turret willcontinue and means on said turret operable upon each clamp reaching saidloading station to open said automatic switch thereby deenergizing theturret drive motor and applying said brake to stop rotation of saidturret.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said brake means'is operatedby means connected in the'turret drive motor control circuit, saidcircuit including a normally open manually operable switch the closingof which releases said brake and initiates rotation of said turret andan automatic switch operable after rotation of said turret commenceswhereby said manual switch may be released and rotation of said turretwill continue and means on said turret operable upon each clamp reachingsaid loading station to open said automatic switch thereby opening saiddrive motor control circuit and applying said brake to stop rotation ofsaid turret.

4. A machine as dened in claim 1 in which said work clamps are operatedby fluid pressure, a solenoid valve for controlling the operation ofeach work clamp, said valve operating to apply said clamp when saidsolenoid is deenergized, a plurality of pairs of contacts mounted onsaid turret each pair being connected to one of said solenoid valves, apair of brushes positioned to successively engage each pair of contactsas the associated clamp reaches said loading station, a power sourceincluding a normally closed switch connected to said brushes wherebyupon reaching said loading station said solenoid valve will be energizedto release said clamp and upon opening of said switch said solenoidvalve will be deenergized to apply said clamp.

5. A machine as defined in claim l in which said work clamps areoperated by fluid pressure, a solenoid valve for controlling theoperation of each work clamp, a plurality of pairs of contacts mountedon said turret each pair being connected to one of said solenoid valves,a pair of brushes positioned to successively engage each pair ofcontacts as the associated clamp reaches said loading station, a powersource including switch means connected to said brushes whereby uponreaching said loading station said solenoid valve may be operated torelease said clamp to permit removal of the iinished stack of tiles andupon positioning of an unnished stack of tiles therein said switch maybe actuated to apply said clamp.

6. A machine as dened in claim 1 in which said work clamps are operatedby iluid pressure, a solenoid valve for controlling the operation ofeach work clamp, contacts mounted on said turret for movement therewith,said contacts being connected to said solenoid valves, stationarycontacts supported on said base for successively engaging said movablecontacts as each work clamp reaches said loading station, a power sourceincluding switch means connected to said stationary contacts wherebyupon reaching said loading station said solenoid valve may be operatedto release said clamp to permit removal of a finished stack of tilestherefrom and upon placing of an unnished stack of tiles in said clampsaid switch means may be actuated to apply said clamp.

7. A machine as defined in claim 1 in which stop means for limitingmovement of said aligning plates toward each other comprises blocksremovably secured to the aligning plate moving mechanism, said blocksengaging a fixed portion of said machine for limiting movement of saidaligning plates whereby said blocks may be removed and replaced bydifferent sized blocks to accommodate said machine to tiles or differentdimensions.

8. A tile sizing machine comprising in combination a base, a turretrotatably mounted on said base, a drive motor mounted on said base r9'for rotating said turret, plurality of work clamps carried by saidturret for clamping stacks of tiles thereon, said''(zlarnpspassingthrough a loading station, means supported on said base andefmnegted to Said `turret vfor loosing said turret ,against rotationwith one of saidwork clamps positioned atrsaigt loading stationistackaligning means adjacent said. .loading station comprising` aligningplates movable toward and away from each other, stonmeans inthe lpathefnsed aligning means for limiting movement of saidaligning platestoward each other Where- ,by the opposite edges o f a stack of tilesdisposed inthe work clamp positioned at said loading station mary-bealigned, opposed grinding slidably mounted on said base, one on eachside .of said turret, means adjustably ,conneeting said drums to-saidbase for adjusting the distance betweensaid grinding drums wherebyuponrrotation of said turret stacks offtiles carriedby said Work clampswill pass between said grinding drums to `size and square said tiles andcontrol imeans connected to said motor, turret, work clarnpsfarlflaligning means for,i10I1tr l1ir1e 'the rotation of said turret, the'operation of' said Work clamps, and the operation of said aligningplates.

9. A tile sizing machine comprising in combination a base, a turretrotatably mounted on said base, a drive motor mounted on said base forrotating said turret, a plurality of work clamps carried by said turretfor clamping stacks of tiles thereon, said clamps passing through aloading station, means supported on said base and connectible to saidturret for locking said turret against rotation with one of said workclamps positioned at said loading station, stack aligning means adjacentsaid loading station comprising aligning plates movable toward and awayfrom each other whereby the opposite edges of a stack of tiles disposedin the Work clamps positioned at said loading station may be aligned,opposed grinding drums slidably mounted on said base one on each side ofsaid turret, means adjustably connecting said drums to said base foradjusting the distance between said grinding drums whereby upon rotationof said turret stacks of tiles carried by said work clamp will passbetween said grinding drums to size and square said tiles and controlmeans connected to said motor, turret, work clamps and aligning meansfor controlling the rotation of said turret, the operation of said workclamps and the operation of said aligning plates.

10. A tile sizing machine comprising in cornbination a base, a turretrotatably mounted on said base, a drive motor supported on said base forrotating said turret, a plurality of work clamps carried by said turretfor clamping stacks of tiles thereon, said clamps passing through aloading station upon rotation of said turret, stack aligning meansadjacent said loading station whereby the opposite edges of the stack oftiles disposed in the Work clamp positioned at said loading station maybealigned, opposed grinding drums slidably mounted on said base one oneach side of said turret, means adjustably connecting said drums foradjusting the distance between said grinding drums whereby upon rotationof said turret stacks of tiles carried by said Work clamps will passbetween said grinding drums to size said tiles and control meansconnected to said turret, work clamps and aligning means for controllingthe rotation of said Aturret,

y thev operation of said'work clamps and the lciperation of saidaligning means.

1,1.. AA tile sizing machine comprising in combination a base, a turretrotatably mounted on said Ibase, a drive motor supported on said basefor rotating said turret, a plurality of work clamps carried by saidturret yfor clamping stacks of tiles thereon, said clamp passing througha loading station upon rotation of saidturret, stack aligningmeansadjacent said loading station whereby the opposite edges of a'stackof tiles disposed in the work clamp positioned at said loading stationmay be aligned, opposed grinding means mounted on said base one on eachside of said turret, means connecting said grinding means for adjustingthe distancer between said grinding means whereby upon rotation ofsaidturret stacks of tiles ycarried by said work clamps will passvbetween vsaid grinding means to size said tiles and means control meansconnected to said turret, work clamps, and aligning means-forcontrelling the rotation of said turret, the operationy Qfsaid workclamps and the operation of said aligning means,

12. A tile sizing machine comprising a base, a tile carrying turretmounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, an upstanding plateextending substantially radially from the periphery of said turret, aplaten extending transversely of said plate, a movable pressure platemounted on said turret and movable toward and from said platen forclamping tiles between said platen and said pressure plate, aligningmeans positioned on opposite sides of said turret and mounted on saidbase for engaging the opposite free edges of tiles held by said platenand pressure plate for properly centering the tiles therebetween, meanson the turret to move the pressure plate toward and from the platen,tile sizing means mounted on opposite sides of said turret for engagingand removing excess material from the said opposite free edges of saidtiles, and means reacting between the base and the turret for movingsaid turret relative to said aligning means and said sizing meanswhereby tiles are accurately sized on their opposite edges, said machinebeing operable to size all of the edges of said tiles.

13. A method of sizing tile comprising positioning the edges of a stackof tile on a generally horizontal supporting surface of less width thansaid edge of said tile with the tile surfaces in upstanding position,aligning opposite lateral edges of the stack of tiles While said stackis supported on said generally horizontal surface by the movement ofyieldable means engaging said lateral opposite edges by a predeterminedlimited movement, clamping said stack of tiles by pressure on theexposed faces of the outer tiles to prevent displacement thereof andpassing the stack of clamped tiles between laterally disposed sizingmeans for simultaneously sizing said opposite lateral edges of saidstacl; of tiles.

14. A method of sizing tile comprising positioning the edges of a stacklof tile on a generally horizontal supporting surface of less width thansaid edge of said tile with the tile surfaces in upstanding position,aligning opposite lateral edges of the stack of tiles While said stackis supported on said generally horizontal surface by the movement ofyieldable means engaging said lateral opposite edges by a predeterminedlimited movement, clamping said stack of tiles by pressure on theexposed faces of the outer tiles to prevent displacement thereof andpassing the stack Aof clamped tiles between laterally disposed sizingmeans for simultaneously sizing said opposite lateral edges of saidstack of tiles, unclamping said tiles and positioning one of saidlateral edges of said stack on said horizontal surface and yieldablyengaging the rst mentioned edge of said tile and an edge oppositethereto by a limited movement of yieldable aligning means, clamping saidstack of tiles and passing said stack of tiles between sizing meansengaging said rst mentioned edge and the edge opposite `thereto, andremoving said tiles.

l5. Method of sizing tile comprising placing a stack of tile on edge ona generally horizontal supporting surface, applying yieldable meansagainst the lateral opposite edges of the tile of a predeterminedlimited amount While the tile is supported on said generally horizontalsurface to align the opposite lateral edges of the tile, applyingpressure against the exposed faces of the outer tile of the stack toclamp and prevent displacement of the tile and moving the stack ofclamped tile between laterally disposed sizing means to simultaneouslysize opposite lateral edges of the tile.

1 2 References Cited in the le of this patent t `UNITED STATES PATE-:Nrs

Number Name Date 675,940 Ericksony June 11, 1901 691,267 Hill Jan. 14,1902 961,560 Trautvetter June 14, 1910 1,454,399 Norris May 8, 19231,556,995 l Johnson Oct. 13, 1925 1,862,704 Prouty June 14, 19321,863,303 Goad g June 14, 1932 1,881,954 Payzant Oct. 11, ,19321,924,594 Blood Aug. 29, 1933 1,926,577 Behle Sept. 12, 1933 1,933,640Schafer Nov. '7, 1933 1,965,020 Young July 3, 1934 1,990,002 SchaferFeb. 5, 1935 1,992,452 Troendly Feb. 26, 1935 2,145,310 Lewis Jan. 31,1939 2,383,638 Faber Aug. 28, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date41,737 Switzerland Dee. 1, 1907

